(19)

(11)

EP 1 239 780 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/38 (21) Application number: 00988264.8 (22) Date of filing: 21.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61B 17/08 (86) International application number: PCT/US0034/889 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/5571 (28.06.2001 Gazette 2001/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 23.12.1999 US 171593 P (71) Applicant: Jayaraman, Swaminathan Fremont, CA 94536 (US)	(72) Inventor: Jayaraman, Swaminathan Fremont, CA 94536 (US) (74) Representative: MacDougall, Donald Carmichael et al Cruikshank & Fairweather19 Royal Exchange Square Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland Glasgow G1 3AE, Scotland (GB)